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Hearts condemn ‘shameful scenes’ after captain ‘assaulted’ in Celtic pitch invasion

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Hearts have condemned the “shameful scenes” at the end of their Scottish Premiership title decider at Celtic Park, after captain Lawrence Shankland was allegedly assaulted during a pitch invasion.

Celtic fans poured onto the pitch following Callum Osmand’s injury-time goal which confirmed they had leapfrogged Hearts to the top of the table on a hugely controversial day in Glasgow.

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In a strongly-worded statement, the club said that they had no choice but to leave the scene immediately and board the team bus, without fulfilling their post-match press duties, owing to “the menacing and threatening atmosphere inside the stadium”. There were also reports of “serious physical and verbal abuse” towards their players and staff.

The club have called for the footballing authorities to take the strongest actions possible and say they are working with Police Scotland alongside their own investigation.

There were also reports of police being pelted with bottles as Celtic fans celebrated on the streets on Glasgow. 

According to Police Scotland, officers arrived at the Trongate area of the city and entered a crowd of celebrating fans to assist with a medical emergency when they said they were “faced with significant levels of hostility, with bottles and other missiles thrown at them”. Action was taken to disperse the crowd, the police said.  

The police said they came under attack in Glasgow - Steve Welsh/PA

In extraordinary and disturbing scenes, the game between Celtic and Hearts was essentially brought to a premature finish after both teams were led off the field as fans in green and white swarmed from all four corners of the stadium to celebrate.

Referee Don Robertson was unable to blow his final whistle to signal the end of a fixture that Celtic were leading 3-1, the victory giving them their 56th league title and leaving Hearts shattered as they had got so close to pulling off a major surprise.

But the football became secondary after Shankland, who had collapsed to the floor in despair after Osmand was able to gallop up the field to score in an empty net, looked to be physically accosted as he was surrounded by a group of Celtic fans.

Shankland, whose header in the first half had given Hearts hope they might be able to win the league for the first time since 1960, needed assistance from stewards to get off the pitch and he was seen holding his ribs as he was surrounded.

Lawrence Shankland, the Hearts captain, is shepherded off the pitch by officials at Celtic Park - Sky Sports

So bad was the invasion, Celtic’s stadium announcer made repeated demands for supporters to “please get back to their seats” and a line of security was formed across the halfway line to keep things in check.

Emotions had run high, however, and Hearts were so enraged by it all that manager Derek McInnes demanded that his squad get straight on to the team bus to get back to Edinburgh without showering. They had left the stadium by 2.50pm, 20 minutes after the final whistle.

Hearts did not fulfil any media commitments but there were unconfirmed allegations that other players, as well as Shankland, had allegedly been assaulted. The Scottish FA will be under pressure to launch an investigation and Celtic may face punishment.

Matin O’Neill, the Celtic manager, said: “I am not pleading the fifth amendment but I did not see anything. I thought the game wasn’t over, so I was trying to push our fans off the pitch. There was a lot of commotion in the tunnel. If some players have been accosted, that is absolutely not right.”

The 11 minutes of bedlam which sealed the title

Celtic 3 Heart of Midlothian 1

It was never going to be straightforward. Everyone, including 752 hardy souls from Edinburgh, anticipated drama, anxiety and the kind of tension that makes every minute feel like an hour.

First against second with the outcome deciding who will become champions. It was only the third time in the history of Scottish football that it had happened and the first since 1991 when Rangers beat Aberdeen. So, yes, Celtic against Hearts was a footballing tinderbox.

In the bedlam of the final 15 minutes, chances were missed, VAR was consulted, skirmishes broke out and those in maroon had their hearts broken.

It must also be said that a line was crossed. As Celtic Park erupted as Callum Osmand scored the goal that clinched Celtic’s record-breaking 56th title and their fifth in a row, a pitch invasion culminated with Lawrence Shankland and Stephen Kingsley, two totems of the Hearts team, allegedly being assaulted. Isn’t it the way that there is always something to ruin a memorable occasion?

Hearts, with their daring ambition to upset the Old Firm, have captured hearts at home and abroad, so much so that even the Wall Street Journal wrote a feature about them on Saturday as they attempted to become champions for the first time since 1960.

What a story it would have been to see Derek McInnes’s side defy the odds and how close they came to doing it, leading through a Shankland header and taking Celtic to the brink. They were tenacious and refused to be cowed, defenders such as Michael Steinwender and Frankie Kent standing tall.

Perhaps they would have pulled off one of the greatest achievements in British football had they gone into the interval with a lead but a penalty from Arne Engels was significant in transforming the outlook of a crowd who had moved from being fidgety to irascible.

Yet it all became too much in the last throes of the campaign, when it looked like some of their players had started to run through quicksand and Martin O’Neill’s decision to go for broke, switching to a back three and pushing forward, created a green-and-white tidal wave.

87 minutes

Celtic striker Daizen Maeda pokes in a goal from eight yards but the linesman’s flag is up. However, VAR intervenes and the goals stands. What agony for McInnes and his squad, who had been haunted by the ghosts of 1986 when they lost the title on the last day in the last eight minutes.

90+8 minutes

Worse is to come for Hearts. In the shrill and with the smell of sulphur from green smoke bombs hanging in the air, Hearts botched a final set-piece and with goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow stranded 100 yards from his penalty box, Osmand ran the length of the pitch to score.

The pitch invasion

Bedlam does not do justice to the scenes. They poured over the hoardings, cavorting and hugging strangers, taking selfies and clasping at their heads in disbelief. Some, however, saw the opportunity for malevolence and aimed punches and kicks at Shankland and Kingsley.

Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland had to be escorted from the pitch by security at full time - Andrew Milligan/PA

So bad were the scenes that an army of stewards in fluorescent jackets, along with police, tried to restore order. O’Neill pushed some Celtic fans back behind the lines, other stewards ran to Shankland, who was visibly hurt, to get him to safety.

“I’m not pleading the fifth amendment but I genuinely didn’t see it,” said O’Neill. “I didn’t think the game was over. There was a lot of commotion in the tunnel, as you might expect. But, look, if some players have been accosted that is absolutely not right.”

Final indignityfor Hearts

No it isn’t – and here’s what made the whole thing so extraordinary. McInnes, his staff and players all departed the scene and were so enraged that they got straight on to the team bus and headed back to Edinburgh, without even showering or changing.

McInnes did shake hands with O’Neill, who later in the afternoon stood in the goal that Osmand and Maeda had scored in to face penalties from his grandchildren, but you can guarantee Hearts will have something to say about this whole farce in the next 24 hours.

They deserved so much more from this season than being chased out of town, battered and bruised. It was hard enough dealing with Wednesday night, when a hugely contentious VAR decision in Motherwell changed the course of the title race, and no amount of plaudits will help them get over this day.

The aftermath

“Hearts have been the story of the year,” O’Neill insisted. “They have been brilliant and they were six or seven minutes away from doing it. If they had won it, they would have deserved it. Derek has been manager of the year and he deserves it. He has been a dream for the football club.”

But O’Neill was some story himself, having two spells in charge in a season that Brendan Rodgers started before clashing with the board and which Wilfried Nancy then nearly derailed.

Martin O’Neill with the Scottish Premier League trophy on Saturday - Andrew Milligan/PA

“I’m telling you, I’m ecstatic – I really am,” O’Neill said. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think, aged 73, I would be back on a podium [collecting a trophy]. It was absolutely incredible.”

He was right about that. It was a day, for so many contrasting reasons, that will never be forgotten.

03:11pm

The trophy lift

Celtic are officially crowned as the Scottish Premiership champions - Andrew Boyers/Action Images via Reuters03:09pm

An emotional O’Neill reacts

03:04pm

The party has started for Celtic

02:48pm

Celtic defenders Johnston and Tierney reflect on this historic title win

02:47pm

The moment Celtic knew they were champions

02:42pm

Celtic captain McGregor reacts

02:39pm

Five-star Celtic

02:33pm

FT: Celtic 3 Hearts 1

Celtic have done it. They are the Scottish champions. For a few minutes, it seemed unclear whether the final whistle had gone. But the devastated Hearts players leave the field and Celtic wildly celebrate. The fans are guided off the pitch and the Celtic squad can now fully enjoy the moment. Goals from Engels, Maeda and Osmand cancelled out Shankland’s opener to seal the title for O’Neill’s side. Hearts have had an incredible season, but they’ve fallen at the final hurdle.

02:31pm

GOAL! Osmand seals the title for Celtic

Hearts pile everyone forward and Celtic clear, allowing Osmand to race away, with Schwolow having joined the attack. The goal is empty for the Celtic substitute, who calmly strokes the ball into the net. Joy for Celtic, despair for Hearts. The fans stream onto the pitch to celebrate with the Celtic players. Scottish football’s most dominant force are set for another title.

02:29pm

90+6 min: Celtic 2 Hearts 1

Maeda is given a yellow card for kicking the ball away to stop Hearts from taking a quick free-kick. Celtic have got everyone behind the ball. Can Hearts create one last chance?

02:27pm

90+4 min: Celtic 2 Hearts 1

Shankland and Saracchi clash, prompting a small scuffle between both sets of players. The two guilty parties are booked and play swiftly resumes.

02:24pm

90 min: Celtic 2 Hearts 1

There will be eight minutes of added time. Can Hearts find a late equaliser to snatch the title back?

02:21pm

GOAL! Maeda turns it around for Celtic, with the title now in touching distance

Osmand is played in behind the Hearts backline, before he fires a low cross into Maeda. The Celtic forward beats Schwolow to the ball and applies a close-range finish to turn it into the net. VAR checks it and the goal is given. Is that the goal which seals the title for Celtic? Unbelievable drama.

02:20pm

86 min: Celtic 1 Hearts 1

Sinisalo can only punch a corner as far as Kingsley. The Hearts man is off-balance and his downward half-volley is well wide. It trickles into Braga’s path, but he can’t turn it in.

02:17pm

83 min: Celtic 1 Hearts 1

It’s starting to get desperate for Celtic. There is still time, but it is rapidly ticking away.

02:14pm

80 min: Celtic 1 Hearts 1

Celtic hit the post, then Schwolow produces a sensational save! Firstly, Iheanacho receives the ball in the pocket and bends a curling effort towards the far post. The striker’s low effort cannons off the post and Hearts survive. Moments later, Celtic fashion another threatening attack and Schwolow tips Nygren’s powerful shot over the bar.

02:12pm

78 min: Celtic 1 Hearts 1

Nygren and Maeda play a slick one-two, allowing the Celtic playmaker to receive the ball inside the penalty area. He has a great opportunity to shoot, but he rushes the effort and it is blocked by the Hearts defence. As the ball ricochets out, Devlin clatters into, meaning Celtic have a free kick right on the edge of the area. Engels takes the set-piece, but his shot narrowly drifts wide.

02:08pm

74 min: Celtic 1 Hearts 1

Osmand is in acres of space, with Hearts defender Kent the last man back. The Celtic substitute drives at Kent, who does tremendously well to read the situation and tackle Osmand. The chance disappears for Celtic. They’re really struggling to create any opportunities. 

02:06pm

73 min: Celtic 1 Hearts 1

O’Neill makes a double change, with Osmand and Saracchi on for Trusty and Tierney. It looks like Celtic have reverted to a back three to ramp up their hunt for a goal.

02:05pm

72 min: Celtic 1 Hearts 1

Celtic need to raise the tempo. They’re not playing like they need to win this game. Currently, Hearts look very comfortable. The visitors are so well-drilled.

Hearts are 28 minutes away from becoming champions but they may as well be 28 hours. This is agony for everyone, working out how this ultimate game of chess will end. Celtic’s supporters are really starting to get tetchy. Hearts’s players look like they are starting to run in quicksand. 

02:02pm

69 min: Celtic 1 Hearts 1

Chesnokov nearly makes an instant impact as he chops inside of Tierney, before firing a low cross into Celtic’s box. He can’t pick out a Hearts player with his cross and Celtic clear the ball. 

02:01pm

67 min: Celtic 1 Hearts 1

McInnes orders a triple change for Hearts. Braga, Forrest and Chesnokov replace Kabore, Milne and Kyziridis.

01:59pm

66 min: Celtic 1 Hearts 1

Celtic take a short corner, allowing Tierney to whip a cross into the box. Maeda does well to win the header at the back post, but his effort goes over the bar.

01:57pm

64 min: Celtic 1 Hearts 1

Celtic’s Auston Trusty and Hearts’ Stephen Kingsley challenge for the ball - Andrew Boyers/Action Images via Reuters01:55pm

62 min: Celtic 1 Hearts 1

Forrest comes on to a huge ovation from the Celtic fans as he replaces Yang. Can the substitute provide a title-winning moment for the home side and change the complexion of this match?

01:54pm

61 min: Celtic 1 Hearts 1

Hearts are less than 30 minutes away from being crowned Scottish champions. Celtic have been relatively passive in this second half. The home side will need to throw everything forward soon.

01:52pm

58 min: Celtic 1 Hearts 1

Trusty’s pass is intercepted by Shankland, who releases Kabore behind the Celtic defence. Sinisalo races out of his box and beats Kabore to the ball. Trusty is then given a yellow card for clattering into Kyziridis. The centre-back has endured a difficult afternoon.

01:50pm

57 min: Celtic 1 Hearts 1

Celtic win a couple of corners in quick succession as they attempt to pile the pressure on Hearts. The visitors defend their box well and eventually clear the ball.

01:48pm

54 min: Celtic 1 Hearts 1

Kabore dispossesses McGregor in a dangerous area and advances towards Celtic’s penalty area. Nygren has to track back and brings down Kabore. He picks up a yellow card and Hearts now have a free-kick in a very promising position. Kyziridis takes it, but the delivery is so poor and sails out for a goal kick.

01:43pm

51 min: Celtic 1 Hearts 1

Baningime trudges off the pitch as a result of his injury and Spittal is on as his replacement.

01:42pm

49 min: Celtic 1 Hearts 1

Baningime is chasing back in an attempt to tackle Iheanacho. Under no pressure, the Hearts midfielder tumbles to the ground, clutching his hamstring. He will play no further part in this match. 

01:39pm

47 min: Celtic 1 Hearts 1

Hearts have made an early change in the second half with Kent coming on for Altena.

01:38pm

46 min: Celtic 1 Hearts 1

We are back under way for the second half. Hearts are unchanged at the break, while Celtic have made one alteration, with Iheanacho replacing Tounekti.

01:36pm

First half review

01:21pm

HT: Celtic 1 Hearts 1

It was a tense and uneventful half, until Shankland headed Hearts into a 43rd-minute lead from a corner. The visitors looked poised to go in at half-time with an invaluable advantage, before Celtic were given a penalty after Tierney’s cross struck Kyziridis’ arm. Engels stepped up and squeezed his penalty under Schwolow. If the scoreline and result stays like this, then Hearts will be crowned as the Scottish champions, but given how the title race has unfolded, we’re undoubtedly set for more drama in the second half.

01:21pm

GOAL! Engels nets the penalty and we’re back level

Engels steps up and whips the penalty towards the bottom right corner. It somehow sneaks under Hearts goalkeeper Schwolow, who will be absolutely gutted he didn’t save it. Celtic Park is in full voice again.

01:18pm

PENALTY TO CELTIC! Drama at Celtic Park

Another controversial penalty call goes in favour of Celtic. Tierney gets forward and whips a cross into the box. It’s blocked by Kyziridis and strikes his arm. After a brief moment of hesitation, the referee points to the spot. VAR then confirms the on-field decision. Hearts can’t believe it.

01:14pm

GOAL! Shankland heads Hearts into a priceless lead

Celtic are undone by a set piece. A corner is clipped into the box and Shankland is unmarked at the back post. Sinisalo misjudges the delivery and it flies over the Celtic goalkeeper, allowing Shankland to nod in from close range. That is a huge goal from the Hearts captain, which could potentially decide the title.

Whether you have skin in the game or not, that will be a goal that moves you. Hearts lead through Lawrence Shankland’s header and, really, it is nothing more than they deserve for a tactically disciplined and aggressive first half. The Hearts fans are singing that “we shall not be moved!” and maybe, just maybe, they won’t.

01:11pm

41 min: Celtic 0 Hearts 0

The tension is so thick you can almost reach out and touch it. Celtic look like the ones who are struggling to deal with the occasion and with each passing minute, which feel like an hour, emotions bubble that little bit more. Referee Don Robertson is doing an outstanding job, he’s tolerating no messing from either side. 

01:10pm

39 min: Celtic 0 Hearts 0

Steinwender slides in and catches Maeda with a late challenge to receive a booking. The Hearts defender will need to be very careful now. 

01:09pm

38 min: Celtic 0 Hearts 0

Altena takes an ambitious shot from an incredibly far distance that sails over the bar. Hearts have barely ventured forward, but they’ve defended so diligently. Kabore then dribbles forward, but he’s surrounded by Celtic shirts. The Hearts man shoots, but his strike is blocked by Scales.

01:07pm

35 min: Celtic 0 Hearts 0

Celtic’s frustration continues as Altena defends well and sprints away from his box, before nutmegging Johnston. The Celtic defender unceremoniously brings him down to receive the game’s first yellow card. 

01:04pm

33 min: Celtic 0 Hearts 0

Celtic burst forward on the counter, with Engels feeding Tounekti. The Celtic winger then cuts inside and shoots, but his effort is straight at Hearts goalkeeper Schwolow, who easily gathers it. That is the first shot on target we’ve seen today. 

01:02pm

30 min: Celtic 0 Hearts 0

Martin O’Neill watches on in this tense title-decider - Russell Cheyne/REUTERS12:59pm

27 min: Celtic 0 Hearts 0

Nygren pounces on a loose ball and tries to thread a pass into Maeda. The Celtic forward made a great run, but Nygren’s pass couldn’t quite pick him out. Hearts have done well to keep Maeda quiet so far. 

12:56pm

25 min: Celtic 0 Hearts 0

Nothing separates the two sides in the opening 25 minutes at Celtic Park - Andrew Milligan/PA12:54pm

24 min: Celtic 0 Hearts 0

This has been an encouraging start from Hearts. There have been no signs of nerves, no indication that the occasion is too much for them and they are dealing well with the persistent screeching and squawking that accompanies every time a Celtic player falls over. It’s very much game on and the theory that Hearts would be washed away in an early storm has been disproven. 

12:53pm

22 min: Celtic 0 Hearts 0

Kabore is released down the channel and digs out a cross, but Scales does well to read the situation and dig out a clearance. We’re still waiting for the game’s first attempt on target from either side as Kabore shoots wide from distance.

12:51pm

20 min: Celtic 0 Hearts 0

After a frantic start in the opening ten minutes, the pace has slowed down slightly. Celtic fans are urging their team to move the ball quicker and they’re starting to get a bit restless. 

12:47pm

16 min: Celtic 0 Hearts 0

Steinwender is back on his feet and re-enters the action as play resumes with a Hearts free-kick. It’s safe to say that the Celtic fans are not happy with that decision.

12:46pm

14 min: Celtic 0 Hearts 0

Yang plays a first-time ball over Hearts’ backline. Steinwender races across to cover and beats Johnston to the ball to make the clearance inside the penalty area. However, this is worrying for Hearts, with Steinwender on the ground and in need of treatment.

12:42pm

10 min: Celtic 0 Hearts 0

Milne does excellently to nutmeg Johnston, which opens up some space for a cross, but he gets the delivery completely wrong as it sails out for a goal kick. The Hearts full back has already hurled a series of long throws into the box, giving Celtic something else to think about. 

12:39pm

8 min: Celtic 0 Hearts 0

Engels takes another corner, but he massively overhits the delivery, relieving the pressure on Hearts. 

12:36pm

5 min: Celtic 0 Hearts 0

Every Celtic tackle is cheered like a goal, while every Hearts touch is met for a chorus of intense jeers and boos. The visitors launch a ball into the box and Shankland half-heartedly appeals for a penalty after a tussle with Scales, but the referee isn’t interested.

12:34pm

3 min: Celtic 0 Hearts 0

Johnston gets forward for Celtic and fires a dangerous cross into Maeda. The delivery is cut out by Steinwender, with Maeda waiting for a tap in. Engels then swings in a corner for Celtic, but Trusty’s near post header goes over the bar. The hosts have made a positive start.

12:31pm

Kick-off

We are under way at Celtic Park.

The noise here is remarkable, it’s one of the loudest - if not the loudest - atmosphere this reporter has ever experienced. The colour, the history, everything about this makes it the event of the season.

12:29pm

The players emerge from the tunnel

Celtic and Hearts are out on the pitch. The atmosphere is absolutely incredible. This title-decider kick off in just a few moments. Hearts have been top of the league for 250 days, but will they still be there on the final whistle?

12:27pm

Reminder of the teams

Celtic: Sinisalo, Johnston, Trusty, Scales, Tierney, McGregor, Engels, Yang, Nygren, Tounekti, Maeda.

Subs: Doohan, McCowan, Iheanacho, Osmand, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Saracchi, Murray, Forrest, Ralston.

Hearts: Schwolow, Steinwender, Kingsley, Findlay, Milne, Kyziridis, Baningime, Devlin, Altena, Shankland, Kabore.

Subs: Fulton, Kent, McCart, Braga, Borchgrevink, Spittal, Forrest, Kerjota, Chesnokov.

Referee: Don Robertson.

12:24pm

Derek McInnes gives his pre-match thoughts

12:21pm

The warm ups

Celtic have to win if they are to win the title - Andrew Boyers/Action Images via ReutersHearts are preparing for one of the biggest games in the club’s history - Andrew Milligan/PA12:15pm

Celtic fans will massively outnumber the away support

What an occasion this is going to be: it feels like a green and white volcano is about to erupt and the scale of how partisan the stadium is comes from the fact just 752 Hearts fans have tickets. And their section is squashed in behind an obstructed view. Still, none of those who are in the stadium and one fan is wearing a t-shirt that could be a slogan for everyone of a Maroon persuasion. It simply says “Believe”.

A small number of Hearts fans will be inside Celtic Park - Andrew Milligan/PA12:13pm

Scott Brown heaps praise on Martin O’Neill

12:10pm

The fall out from Celtic’s penalty drama

Referee John Beaton and his family have been placed under “police surveillance” after his personal details were leaked, according to the Scottish Football Association, following Celtic’s 3-2 over Motherwell on Wednesday.

The SFA said Beaton and his family had spent Thursday night at home under police surveillance “following a leak of personal details online” and condemned attempts to compromise the safety of match officials.

A statement added: “Such vigilantism, motivated by decisions perceived to be right or wrong on a field of play, is a scourge on our national game and we are grateful to Police Scotland for their swift intervention.

“We are also clear, sadly, that this is the inevitable consequence of the heightening criticism, intolerance and scapegoating demonstrated this season by media pundits, supporters, official supporters’ groups, clubs, players, managers and former match officials.”

Referee John Beaton and his family have been placed under police surveillance - Robert Perry/PA12:00pm

Both clubs have previously suffered final day despair

11:57am

Martin O’Neill: ‘Everybody outside Celtic wants Hearts to win’

11:54am

The pundits preview the match

11:49am

Dominic King’s view on this unprecedented title-decider

Telegraph football reporter Dominic King previews the prospect of Hearts making history and clinching the title to end the Old Firm duo’s dominance.

Celtic vs Hearts is the kind of collision that comes around once in a generation. There has not been a final-game shoot-out in England since Liverpool played Arsenal in 1989, a game so dramatic you can still hear the late, great ITV commentator Brian Moore exclaim: “It’s up for grabs now!” as Michael Thomas surged through.

But for this to happen in Scotland? It shouldn’t be happening. The SPL trophy has not left Glasgow since 1985 yet here we are, 90 minutes away from Derek McInnes and his players taking it back to Edinburgh and crowning a campaign that has captured hearts and minds around the world.

You can read the full article here.

11:45am

Celtic fans continue to bring the noise

Celtic Ultra’s fan group the Green Brigade are orchestrating the crowd - Ian MacNicol/Getty Images EuropeThousands of Celtic fans are gathering outside the stadium - Andrew Boyers/Action Images via Reuters11:39am

Today’s setting

11:38am

Celtic must beat Hearts to win the title

11:32am

A bit premature?

Celtic fans are preparing for the best case scenario but will this come back to haunt them? - Ross Parker/SNS Group11:26am

Celtic fans out in full force

Excitement is brewing at Celtic Park - Andrew Milligan/PACeltic will be buoyed by their passionate home advantage - Andrew Milligan/PA11:17am

Hearts team news

Hearts have made three changes to the side that beat Falkirk. Kabore, Kingsley and Altena replace Kent, Spittal and Braga.

11:16am

Celtic team news

Celtic boss Martin O’Neill has named an unchanged line-up, staying with the same 11 players who started against Motherwell. Daizen Maeda, who has seven goals in his last five games for Celtic, begins up top. Celtic are without a host of options due to injury, including Kasper Schmeichel, Julian Araujo and Cameron Carter-Vickers

11:15am

It all comes down to this

Good morning and welcome to our live blog for this title-deciding match between Celtic and Hearts in the Scottish Premiership in Glasgow. 

The epic race for the title served up some extraordinary drama on Wednesday evening. Hearts cruised to a routine 3-0 win over Falkirk at Tynecastle Park, and attention instantly turned to Celtic’s game away at Motherwell, where Liam Gordon had netted an 85th-minute equaliser for the home side to make it 2-2, leaving Derek McInnes’ men on the brink of the title.

However, Kelechi Iheanacho netted a hugely contentious 99th-minute penalty to seal a 3-2 win for Celtic. The late penalty was awarded after Motherwell midfielder Sam Nicholson was punished for handball after challenging for a header with Celtic defender Auston Trusty, who went down in the area. Referee John Beaton was sent to the monitor and made the swift decision to give the penalty, which Iheanacho dispatched with chilling composure. 

Gary Lineker called it the “worst decision he had seen”, while McInnes described it as “disgusting.” If the result had stayed 2-2, then Celtic would have needed to beat Hearts by three goals to clinch the title. Instead, Martin O’Neil’s side are just a point behind Hearts and can beat the current league leaders by any scoreline at Celtic Park to dethrone them. Meanwhile, Hearts just need to avoid defeat to become the first side since Sir Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen in 1985 to win the Scottish title outside of the Old Firm duo. 

The penalty controversy has made Hearts’ wait for a first title since 1960 even more agonising, as they try to break the Celtic and Rangers’ duopoly of Scottish football. It leaves today’s game in Glasgow as a brutal winner-takes-all battle, with Hearts on the verge of history, while Celtic aim for a fifth successive title. 

Kick-off is at 12:30, with teams coming shortly.

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